Tests for Male Fertility Analysis

Approximately 30-40% of all infertility cases are due to men and the testing involved is very simple and precise.  With male infertility accounting for at least one third of all cases, it is essential to get oneself tested if a couple fails to conceive even after trying for a year.  There are several kinds of tests available for analyzing male infertility. The most common test done by all doctors is a semen analysis which is done to determine if a male infertility factor is involved.  Sperm is taken from the person and collected in a jar and then given to a lab technician who performs a detailed examination of the sperm to study and analyze the shape, mobility, count and appearance.  It is essential that during sperm analysis, the technician measures the sperm concentration and determines if it is less than 20 million sperm cells per millimeter of the fluid. In case of the sperm count being low, the technician then proceeds to testing the testosterone, FSH, prolactin and LH levels. A urine test is also performed to determine the presence of any white blood cells which could denote the possibility of an infection. The urine test is also used to determine if there is any sperm present in the urine which could indicate the presence of a condition known as retrograde ejaculation.

The entire medical history of the patient is also examined as well as the family history and if they along with the semen analysis prove to be normal, then the doctor shifts to examining the women and making sure that her health and medical conditions are proper.  If at times, a further analysis of male infertility factor is required, then several other laboratory and sperm analysis tests are conducted. A few of the tests are mentioned below:

Sperm agglutination:  it is a laboratory test in which the sperm is placed under a microscope and studied to determine if the sperms are clumped together which usually prohibits sperms from travelling to the cervical mucus.

Sperm penetration assay: it is a laboratory test where the eggs of a hamster are used to determine the ability of a sperm to  penetrate the egg. This is an outdated test.

Hemizona assay:  it is a laboratory test where a human egg which is in a non-usable condition is cut into half and then it is checked if the sperm is able to penetrate the outer layer of the egg.

Acrosome reaction: It is a laboratory test where it is determined if the sperms are capable of undergoing the required chemical changes that are needed in order for them to penetrate into the outermost layer of a egg.

Hypo-osmotic swelling: it is a laboratory test that makes use of a special salt and sugar solution to study the tail of the sperm and its capability of penetrating the egg. The sperm tails of healthy sperms swell in this specially made solution whereas others do not swell.

These are a few of the tests done to determine the male infertility factor.


Symptoms of PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or PCOS as it is known is an endocrine disorder.  It affects the ability of a woman to conceive, causes irregular menstrual cycles and also several health conditions. It can occur in women of all races and ages and the symptoms for PCOS are many and they vary a lot from one person to the other. Oligomenorrhea is one of the symptoms of PCOS. Oligomenorrhea is a condition that causes uterine bleeding on an infrequent basis. The duration of these bleeding episodes can vary a lot. It occurs because of several reasons, a few of the conditions being prolactinomas, thyrotoxicosis, thyrotoxicosis and Graves disease.

Amenorrhoea is also a symptom that can lead to PCOS. It causes the complete absence of menstrual cycles in women of reproductive age. It is caused due to different factors such as an absence of uterus and an inability of the ovary to either maintain egg cells or the receive egg cells. PCOS can cause infertility in women because it affects the ability of a woman to conceive. Anovulation is a condition where the ovaries do not manage to release an oocyte in one cycle and hence, ovulation does not take place. Chronic anovulation is one of the most common factors causing infertility. It can also cause other conditions such as hyperandrogenism or osteopenia.

Hirsutism is one of the symptoms of PCOS. It causes excessive hair growth in women in areas or regions where usually there is an absence of hair such as chest or the chin. It is caused to high levels of androgen in the woman’s body as a majority of the male hormones lead to growth of hair. People should also get themselves checked for PCOS when they experiences excessive hair loss or thinning. Androgenic alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss in men, women and animals. Hair is usually lost in well defined patterns and it might lead to complete baldness.

Acne is also one of the symptoms of PCOS. It is a skin condition that occurs because of variations in pilosebaceous units and severely affects the skin causing blemishes and spots. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is also a skin condition that could indicate the presence of PCOS. It causes scaly or itchy skin and affects the scalp, trunk and face regions.

Every one out of two women suffering from PCOS are obese hence, obesity can be counted as one of the most prominent symptoms of PCOS. There are also several psychological symptoms such as depression which can indicate the onset of PCOS. Deepening of the voice and an enlargement of clitoris can also be suggestive of PCOS. Conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure are also symptoms of PCOS. Occurrence of batches of dark skin on the thighs, breast and arms can also point to PCOS. Other symptoms of PCOS also include pain in the pelvis area, sleep apnea, anxiety, resistance to insulin, oily skin, dandruff, high cholesterol, cysts in the ovary and skin tags.


In vitro fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure wherein fertilization is done by combining eggs and sperms outside the womb, in a laboratory dish. When all methods of treatment for infertility do not work including In vitro fertilization (IVF) assisted reproductive technology then IVF is done. The ovulation process of women is monitored and controlled and eggs are removed from the ovaries and allowed to combine with sperm in a fluid to aid in the fertilization process. When the egg is fertilized, the zygote is transferred back to the uterus and then a pregnancy condition is expected. Babies who are born through this procedure are known as test tube babies.

Typically there are five steps involved in the procedure. In the first step, the ovulation period of a woman is monitored and medications are prescribed to control the timing of the egg release in order to collect numerous eggs in one cycle itself, so that the chances of fertilization increase. This is known as ovulation induction. An u

ltrasound is done to monitor the stages of egg development and the ovaries. In step two a surgery is done to retrieve the eggs. A needle is placed through the pelvic cavity with the help of ultrasound imaging. Follicular aspiration is the procedure to remove eggs from ovaries with the help of a needle. This has some side effects which include cramps and pain. In stage 3 the sperm is kept ready for fertilization. In step four both the sperm and eggs are kept in incubators in laboratory to help the process of fertilization. If the chances of fertilization are considered to be low, then intracytoplasmic sperm injection is used. In this method, a single sperm is injected into an egg for fertilization purpose. The eggs are monitored constantly and once it is established that fertilization has taken place, the eggs are termed as embryos.

In step 5, the embryos are transferred to the uterus in a time frame of one to six days after the fertilization process. A speculum is inserted into the vagina in order to expose the cervix and a fixed number of embryos are placed in a fluid and with the help of a catheter are placed into the womb. Ultrasound is used to help in this procedure and women usually experience mild cramps when it is performed. Complete rest is advised after the procedure and then a period of wait follows, where a blood test and an ultrasound test are done to determine the success of the procedure and the occurrence of pregnancy. The success rate of IVF depends on a number of factors. The health of the patient, the age of the patient and the different procedures used in the treatment all determine the outcome of IVF. The success rate is 30-35% for women under the age of 35 in U.S, 25% for women in between the ages of 35-37, 15-20% for women in between the ages of 38-40 and 6-10% for women who are over the age of 40.


Infertility Statistics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NY Department of Health reported that as of the year 1995, about 7.1 percent of all married couples in the United States of reproductive age were infertile. There are several conditions that can cause infertility in both men and women. For women, as the age increases, the chances of conceiving decrease. A 30 year old woman’s chances of conceiving decrease by 5% by the time she reaches 40. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) were used by 40% of the couples under the age of 35 and 9.5% of couples under the age of 40.

According to the estimates of the US bureau, there are 60.18 million women in U.S between the ages of fifteen and forty-four. There are at least 20,000 less women of reproductive age in 1999 that they were in 1995. In 1995, it is estimated that only 15% of the women consulted a doctor for infertility treatment as compared to 12% sought treatment in 1988.  In 1996, there were approximately 64,036 ART cycles, an increase of about 5000 cycles as compared to the year 1995.  About 20,600 women gave birth with the help of ART, doubling the rate as compared to 1995. There are several factors that can cause infertility. Among the numerous conditions, the most prominent ones include tubal factor (31%), endometriosis (14%), male factor (18%), uterine factor (1%), unexplained factors (15%) and other factors (18%).

As of 2002, 11.9% of women or 7.3 million women received treatment for infertility. About 6.1% women sought advice, 5.5% sought medical help to prevent miscarriage, 4.8% underwent tests along with their partner, 3.8% took ovulation drugs and 1.1% underwent artificial insemination. The typical procedures performed in ART include in vitro fertilization (IVF) (71%), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) (2%), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) (5%), frozen embryos (14%), medical procedures (11%) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection for fertilization purpose (11%).

According to race, 6.4% of white women are infertile, 10.5% of black women are infertile and 7% of Hispanic women are infertile. As of 1995, 7.1% or 2.1 million of people who were married were infertile.  10% of married couples or 6.1 million people had impaired fecundity. The reproductive age or peak childbearing years for women in U.S range from 25-29. The National Institutes of Health have determined that from 1938 to 1996, the sperm rate has decreased by 1.5%. 85-90% of all infertility cases can be solved with treatment or medication. The ART treatment accounts for 0.07% of the entire health care costs accounted in U.S. About 25% of cases are due to STDs in the US. 15% of all infertility cases are due to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in the US. 30-40% of all cases are caused by male infertility and the rest due to female infertility. Thus, as we can observe there has been a great change in the number of people seeking treatment for infertility and if this trend continues, then we can decrease the infertility rate among people by a good margin.


How a Doctor Can Guide You through Infertility Treatment

When a couple that has been facing infertility problems visits a doctor, he does a checkup of the family history, present medical conditions of the couple and then reviews all the information to decide on a course of action. A series of tests are performed to determine the causes of infertility. These tests can be uncomfortable as well as expensive. Men are asked to ejaculate in a cup and then the semen is analyzed in the lab to check for the sperm count, mobility, pH balance which should be slightly alkaline, consistency, the shape of the sperms, maturity of sperms and volume. If the results of the test are abnormal, then they have to consult a male infertility specialist doctor and then repeat the exam for at least two times in a time span of twelve weeks.  At times, several factors may interfere with the results of the exam such as fever or STD’s. If the results are abnormal again then they have to consult an urologist.

Then, they are checked for a sperm antibody test, hamster egg test that is done to determine the strength of the sperm penetration which is important because if the sperm does not have enough strength to penetrate the egg then fertilization will not occur, blood tests to determine hormone levels, testicular biopsies to check if the person is sterile, fructose test, bovine cervical mucus test that is done to determine the ability of the sperm to penetrate the cervical mucus and a vasography to check for obstructions.

If the results of all the tests mentioned above are normal, then the other partner is referred to a gynecologist specializing in reproductive endocrinology. The doctor would prefer to view the ovulation charts initially and then speak to the couple. All information regarding previous treatments and surgeries, medical history and conditions should be revealed to the doctor. The doctor then interviews the couple either individually or together. Several questions will be asked to the couple about their relationship, the time span they have been trying to conceive and previous pregnancies, miscarriages or abortions. It is very important that the couple answers all questions honestly as the doctor needs to know the correct information to determine the causes of infertility as well as the correct choice of treatment for the couple.

A complete pelvic exam, exam for STD’s, a pap smear and several other examinations are performed. The doctor has to gather all information regarding thyroid hormone levels, reproductive hormone levels and the condition of the pelvis, heart and lungs. The doctor will then ask the woman several questions

about excessive body hair, obesity, skin problems, regularity of menstrual cycles and certain habits. After understanding the complete menstrual and intercourse history, the doctor then proceeds to prescribe the most suitable treatment for the couple. This is done after taking several factors into account and if the couple undergoes or follows the treatment properly, then most of the time, they can successfully conceive a child.


Useful Fertility Kits for Men and Women

Couples who have infertility problems fear the finances that they have to spend on treatment if they consult a doctor. While consulting a doctor after one year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child is a must, couples can make use of several fertility kits available in the market to improve their chances of conceiving by a great extent. It is recommended that the couple study the products that are available and then determine the products that can be the most helpful to them and then purchase them. The directions on the usage of the kits are given along with the kits and it is necessary that the couple follows the instructions properly in order to expect good results.

FertilAid is a fertility supplement that provides the necessary supplements for both men and women. FertilAid when used by women contains vitamins along with herbal supplements to help in the balance of hormones and regular ovulation whereas FertilAid when used by men improves the male fertility and strengthens the mobility and movement of the sperm along with their quality. Fertility Blend, a fertility supplement contains a combination of different vitamins that can help to reduce infertility. FertiliTea Fertility Tea is prepared especially for women who want to conceive. It contains all organic elements and does not have any preservatives and additives. It is made up of several herbs such as raspberry leaf, peppermint leaf and green tea.

Evening Primrose Oil, a fertility supplement can help in balancing female hormone levels and improve fertility. It also improves the cervical mucus quality. The Micra Home Sperm Analysis is one of the only home sperm tests available for men. It needs a sample of the sperm and then monitors and analyzes it to determine the sperm presence, the concentration and count of the sperm and the mobility and movement of the sperm. The Male Fertility Sperm Test also needs a sample of the sperm and then it determines if the concentration of the sperm is above or below twenty million sperm cells per milliliter.

The Digital BBT thermometer is one of the most common fertility aids. It provides readings of the temperature that are accurate to 1/100th of a degree. It can be used to prepare ovulation charts, peak periods of fertility and monitoring of menstrual cycles. The Non-Mercury BBT thermometer is a much more accurate version of the previously mentioned thermometer. It is ultra sensitive and can be used to determine the ovulation period and to prepare BBT charts. There are also several kits available in the market that can help determine the ovulation period and the most favorable time for conceiving a child. This can be of great help to a couple who has been trying hard to conceive. Thus, with so many fertility kits available in the market, couples can explore many new options to help them reduce their infertility problems and to help them conceive a child successfully.